The door’s been flung open – again

by John Curnow on 28 Aug 2016 Now whether it was the Champagne or something far more ethereal, there is the chance that sailing may get sexier for Tokyo 2020. Yes, the proverbial door has been cast ajar before, often to much fanfare, and not that much has been achieved. What’s different this time is that sailing has gained more mainstream coverage, and not just here in Oz, the IOC are also looking to glam things up (with sailing being one of the six they are targeting) and, quite significantly, World Sailing are talking timelines.

Apologies early to any class that may perceive they’re on the chopping block. You could be, but it is not all hemlock and arsenic. The Laser is by far and away the most successful (commercially) of all the Olympic Classes. Others like Solings and Stars have gained nowhere near as much traction as those that did not get selected, like Etchells, so glass half full and all…

Whilst talking Laser, there is the Glide Free kit for Lasers that levels the playing afield a bit between old hull and new, and would also be a cheaper option than new gear. The latter is an important point to focus on, because World Sailing’s President, Carlo Croce, said as part of the discussion on new classes/events, “I am completely convinced we’d find someone who can find provide the boats to the Olympics free of charge.” Hhmmm. Could be the bubbles talking there, Sir.

So if November is going to be judgement day, and WS have said they do not want to make huge changes to things, then what is possible? Additionally, the IOC want it all sexed up, for there are five new sports on the way, and they don’t want more or less than the 10,500 athletes that have attended the last two Olympiads. OK. Well at least we know the variables now.

Taking existing classes on the world scene would seem to be the go. That means kiteboarding and Moths would have to be likely options. The former is up on foils now too and something to witness. At any beach around the country, when the low or high ride versions are out, there is always a crowd on hand to witness it all. Been part of one of those myself only a couple of weeks ago.

The Moths are pretty obvious. Up and running in like seven knots, and truly great viewing in over 20! They’re not cheap, but then relative to the cost of campaigning for the Olympics, they’re a bargain. Also, they can be sailed by either sex, which is a very cool thing, and completely unlike the lesser derivations of the Laser! The Waszp will get thrown in smartly as an alternative, but may not be the full answer, which seems to pretty much lie in an OD International Foiling Moth.

Now there could also be another option entirely, or in the very least a part of the overall upheaval. As a curve ball, how about deploying a foiling Nacra 17? Now there’d be something, and it is an upgrade to an existing boat, not an outright replacement! WS it is very cool and almost instantaneous… Think about it. Seriously.

Zooming out a little now, and as a note to WS, Organising Authorities and the like, with this extra speed comes the responsibility to look after all on or near the course. We lost Bart Simpson so tragically on the Artemis AC72, the great Franck Cammas almost lost his foot coming off a GC32 and Spindrift 2 ran over a Marshall’s RIB and one of the foils cut off a woman’s leg. Yes, they are bigger boats and it is more than sad in all of those cases.

Yet the IOC will want the course close into shore for easy viewing and there will be a lot more of the craft around in a very confined area. Recently, Phaedo3 was finishing her lap of the Isle of Wight when she came upon a fleet of displacement monohulls out racing. At 40 knots plus the closure rate was significant. They weaved their way through, mercifully, but a different outcome could have seen the Lawyers having a very commercially viable day.

Equally, if you think it is all too much Brouhaha, then pause now and reflect on young Tess Lloyd. We can say that at least the RIBS in Tokyo will be in better order than those at Rio, so thereby one element in the disaster equation gets removed. At any rate, all I am saying is that changes need to encompass the whole deal. The powers that be need to plan in for all these types of elements of the equation.

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